[Infections complicating femoral nerve catheter for postoperative analgesia: about two cases]. / Complications infectieuses et cathéter périnerveux fémoral pour l'analgésie postopératoire: à propos de deux cas.

The process of inserting a perineural catheter on femoral region for a regional anesthesia is quite common amongst hospital practices. The resulting infectious complications, although rare, remain potentially serious. For instance, many cases of severe sepsis were described in medical literature. In this paper, we will be presenting two cases of infections that were under serious investigation and led to major improvements of practice in the related hospitals. At the same time, we will give a reminder of good practices in inserting perineural catheters.

Fatal streptococcal necrotizing fasciitis as a complication of axillary brachial plexus block.

A 74-yr-old diabetic woman developed necrotizing fasciitis of the right upper limb after axillary brachial plexus block for carpal tunnel decompression. Clinical signs included oedema, diffuse swelling and bullae; rapidly followed by toxic shock syndrome and multiorgan failure. The patient died 48 h after hospital admission, despite broad-spectrum antibiotics, surgical treatment and supportive measures for the management of shock and multiorgan failure. Cultures yielded group A Streptococcus. Delay in antibiotic and surgical treatment probably affected the outcome. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to improve the outcome of streptococcal necrotizing fasciitis.

[Early and late nosocomial broncho-pulmonary diseases in intensive care. Comparative study of risk factors and of causing bacteria]. / Infections broncho-pulmonaires nosocomiales précoces et tardives en réanimation. Etude comparative des facteurs de risque et des germes responsables.

OBJECTIVES: Determine the risk factors and germs responsible for early-onset (E) and late-onset (L) nosocomial broncho-pulmonary infections (NBPI), in order to improve preventive strategies and the choice of initial antibiotherapy. METHODS: An observational prospective study conducted in an intensive care unit of 30 beds, from March 1993 to September 1999. The patients presenting with an ENBPI and those with an LNBPI were compared with patients without NBPI using univariate and then multivariate analysis. RESULTS: 517 (14%) of early-onset NBPI were diagnosed, but the majority of NBPI were late-onset (87%). Multiresistant bacteria predominated. The similarity in the germs responsible for the early and late onset forms of NBPI was probably related to the large number of patients transferred from other departments (82%) and having already received antibiotics before their admission to the intensive care unit (49%). Multivariate analysis identified anti-ulcer and long term corticosteroid treatments as common risk factors for early and late onset forms of NBPI, digestive failure, tracheotomy and kidney failure as risk factors for ENBPI and the number of antibiotics used in intensive care and the duration of mechanical ventilation as factors of risk for LNBPI. CONCLUSION: The limited use of antibiotics and anti-ulcer agents could improve the prevention of early and late onset forms of NBPI. The distinction in intensive care between the two forms of NBPI must be emphasized by the notion of prior hospitalization.

Nosocomial tracheobronchitis in mechanically ventilated patients: incidence, aetiology and outcome.

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, the organisms responsible for and the impact on outcome of nosocomial tracheobronchitis (NTB) in the intensive care unit (ICU). This prospective observational cohort study was conducted in a 30-bed medical/surgical ICU over a period of 6.5 yrs. All patients ventilated for >48 h were eligible. Patients with nosocomial pneumonia (NP) without prior NTB were excluded. Patients with first episodes of NTB were compared with those without NTB by univariate analysis. The study diagnosed 201 (10.6%) cases of NTB. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common bacteria. NP rates were similar in patients with NTB compared with patients without NTB. Even in the absence of subsequent NP, NTB was associated with a significantly higher length of ICU stay and duration of mechanical ventilation in both surgical and medical populations. Mortality rates were similar in NTB patients without subsequent NP compared with patients without NTB. Antimicrobial treatment in NTB patients was associated with a trend to a better outcome. Nosocomial tracheobronchitis is common in mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients. In this population, nosocomial tracheobronchitis was associated with longer durations of intensive care unit stay and mechanical ventilation. Further studies are needed to determine the impact of antibiotics on outcomes of patients with nosocomial tracheobronchitis.